Heritage news from around Blaenau Gwent.
Snippets of heritage news from local societies
December 2024
- Work is progressing on the ‘Churches and Chapels’ book.
December 2024
- The Blaenau Gwent Ambassadors scheme is now launched. The first 3 modules are available with more to follow early in 2025.
- The Wales Ambassador Scheme is a set of free online courses that introduce you to different areas and attractions in Wales. You can increase your knowledge of Wales and help others to get the most out of their visit.
- The Town Trails for Ebbw Vale and Abertillery are complete. Tredegar is 50% complete.
December 2024
- Gwent Archives have reintroduced sessions of “Introductions to the Archive” which include a conducted tour of the building followed by an optional visit to ‘Ebbw Vale Works Museum’.
- A drive is underway to invite different groups to the archive and to improve contact so that the archive can help and support them when they undertake local history projects.
- The Christmas lecture was cancelled because of the weather but it is hoped that it will be rescheduled for early 2025.
- The archive is looking into the possibility of having online access to future Talks.
December 2024:
- An exhibition of photographs of ‘Pubs and Clubs of Tredegar’ is displayed in Bedwellty House
- 60 children from Newport visited the museum to learn about Aneurin Bevan
- The museum now has a display on the work of Walter Conway, the person involved with, and responsible, for the development for the Tredegar Medical Aid Society
December 2024
- The digitisation of the collection of the Steelworks Museum papers and documents is progressing.
- The museum is printing a newsletter which will include a form with the option for people to become “Friends of the Museum” and/or to help support the various projects undertaken by the museum volunteers.
December 2024
- The Family History help desks are closed until February 2025.
December 2024
- The Christmas Service will take place on Friday 6th December
December 2024
- There has been a celebration of the 120th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for Llanhilleth Institute, This impressive building cost £7,000 in 1904 to build.
December 2024
- Loose and incomplete sections on the wingwalls of the Abertillery Mosaic are being removed and will be used to fix incomplete sections.
The wingwalls will have the original watercolour design printed on to aluminium and fixed to the wall.
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Our 2024 trips
LLANCAIACH FAWR MANOR AND THE WINDING HOUSE
On Thursday, March 28th, the Forum held a trip that was a tale of two halves. The first halve, a visit to the Winding house in New Tredegar, had an industrial theme, firmly rooted in the coal industry. The second, a tour of Llancaiach Fawr Manor, a wonderfully-preserved historic building, took members back in time to the 17th century.
Winding House and Museum, New Tredegar.
We were fortunate in having an ex. miner as a guide ( a very articulate and well-read individual) to deliver the information about the Grade 2 listed engine, a steam-powered wonder, which served the Elliot Colliery until its closure in 1967.
A very fine example of Victorian engineering, and in a wonderful state of preservation, the engine impressed greatly. The museum, housed in the same facility, was also of great interest. Sadly, due to financial constraints, the Winding House was mothballed on April 1st. We were amongst its last visitors.
Llancaich Fawr, Nelson.
From the Winding House, members travelled the relatively short distance to the Grade 1 listed Llancaiach Fawr Manor (built in the mid 16th century) near Nelson, mid-Glamorgan. Here, following a very agreeable lunch, we had a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable interactive tour.
The manor, which has survived the passage of time in a remarkably unscathed condition, has been sympathetically restored to how it would have been when Edward Prichard and family occupied it in the 17th century. Again, sadly, this truly wonderful and, in many ways, unique building is due to be mothballed.
BRECON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
Brecon Mountain Railway – Pant Station
On Thursday 19th September, 21 members of Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum met at Pant Station, home of the Brecon Mountain Railway. Following a very informative talk, by general manager Stuart Williams, members boarded the carriages (pulled by a vintage steam locomotive) and set off on a wonderfully emotive journey into the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The track runs through Pontsticill, and along the full length of the Taf Fechan Reservoir, before climbing to Torpantau high in the Brecon Beacons and the summit of the original line. We were extremely fortunate in that the weather was kind, affording us wonderful views of the stunning scenery.
Taf Fechan Reservoir,
On the return journey we stopped at Pontsticill intermediate station for refreshments, before heading back to the terminus at Pant. All-in-all, it was a hugely pleasant trip that took us back to a time when steam ruled. Steam raised in boilers fed with wonderful Welsh Steam Coal.
Brecon Mountain Railway – Torpantau Station
